When he was arrested in July, Conley’s victim told police the Muncie man had first cut his right forearm with the machete, then punched him in the head after they argued over “household issues such as cleaning.”

An officer wrote Conley’s accuser had an “extremely large and gruesome gash.” He was taken by ambulance to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

In Delaware Circuit Court 2 on Monday, Conley told his public defender, Mark McKinney, that he had seized control of the machete from his roommate, but then used the weapon to cut the other man’s arm.

Conley also said he had been drinking prior to the incident.

Judge Kimberly Dowling took the plea agreement – which apparently calls for dismissal of two more serious charges, including aggravated battery – under advisement and tentatively set sentencing for Nov. 29.

Two misdemeanor battery charges, unrelated to the machete incident, are also expected to be dropped.

In other court news:

Misconduct: A Muncie man faces a felony charge over allegations he had sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Jacob Manship(Photo11: Photo provided)

Jacob Michael Manship, 20, of the 3100 block of West Sunblest Drive, was charged Wednesday in Delaware Circuit Court 5 with sexual misconduct with a minor, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison.

The incidents leading to the charge allegedly took place last December, when Manship was 19.

When he was arrested in July, Manship reportedly told officers he had been aware of the girl’s age, and that they had discussed the possibility “he could be in trouble for having sex with her,” according to an affidavit.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.